Report: Trail Blazers Haven’t Ruled Out Damian Lillard Playoff Return

A new report has people at least entertaining the idea that Damian Lillard could make a surprise return this postseason. It’s not something anyone is counting on, but it hasn’t been shut down either. Word is he’s “close” in his recovery, and while a comeback would be a stretch, it’s not off the table.

The report, which traces back to OregonLive’s Bill Oram by way of Reddit, says the Trail Blazers haven’t completely ruled it out. That doesn’t mean there’s a plan in place or a date circled on the calendar. Right now, it’s more about keeping the door slightly open than expecting him to walk through it.

People around the team have echoed that sentiment. No one is predicting a return, but they also aren’t dismissing the possibility outright. If everything breaks right, there’s at least a path, even if it’s a narrow one.

Part of that comes down to where Lillard is physically. He’s working back from a torn Achilles, the kind of injury that usually takes time and patience. Even in a best-case scenario, he wouldn’t be jumping back into early playoff games. If he does play, it would likely come much later, deep into a series or even in the later rounds if Portland manages to stick around.

So for now, this sits somewhere between optimism and reality. The Blazers aren’t building their postseason around Lillard’s return, but they’re not closing the book on it either. The situation could change depending on how his recovery progresses and how far the team goes.

The bottom line hasn’t really shifted: seeing Lillard on the floor in these playoffs is still unlikely, and nothing has been confirmed. Still, if Portland keeps advancing and he keeps trending in the right direction, it’s just enough of a possibility to keep people watching.